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Comenale’s 32 leads New York Mills to victory over Vernon-Verona-Sherrill boys basketball

VVS’ Dalton Cousin (22) dribbles past New York Mills’ Corey Pastorelli (44) during the first half of their game in Verona on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013.
JOHN HAEGER – ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH @ONEIDAPHOTO ON TWITTER

VVS’ Matt McCoy (11) goes up for a shot as New York Mills’ Zach Vennaro (40) defends during the first half of their game in Verona on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013.
JOHN HAEGER – ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH @ONEIDAPHOTO ON TWITTER

VERONA >> Vernon-Verona-Sherrill and New York Mills entered their boys basketball game on Saturday off to vastly different starts this season. The Marauders entered without a loss while the Red Devils were looking for their first win.

They left the same way.

Nick Comenale scored 32 points, 22 in the first half, leading NYM to a 64-45 victory.

Turnovers and missed layups plagued both teams in the early going, with NYM’s Ali Hassan scoring the only basket for the first three minutes. Terry Nichols added a 3-pointer for the Marauders before Comenale took over. The senior knifed through the Red Devils defense, making a layup for his first basket. He then made four 3-pointers, giving his team a 19-11 lead after the first quarter. Dalton Cousin and Jeremy VanDuLuitgaarden combined for all 11 Red Devils’ points in the period.

VVS tried to slow Comenale down in the second but fouled him on his first shot attempt. Fortunately for the hosts, he made just one of three free throws. Unfortunately for the hosts, Comenale added a layup on a fast-break to stretch the Marauders’ lead to 22-11 before VVS forced him to become a passer. The Red Devils kept the Marauders scoreless for the next four minutes but only cut the lead to 22-13 before Hassan broke the drought. Comenale then found his scoring touch again, scoring five points before halftime to help his team take a 34-20 lead into the break.

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Hassan scored four quick points to start the second half, prompting a VVS timeout. Nick Metzger responded with a 3-pointer and the teams went back and forth until NYM ended the quarter on an 11-0 run, taking a 56-29 lead into the fourth quarter.

Comenale extended the run to 13-0 in the fourth and the teams alternated baskets throughout the period until the Red Devils closed the game on a 6-0 run.

About the Author

Kyle Mennig, sports editor for the Oneida Dispatch, originally hails from Munnsville. Kyle graduated from Geneseo State in 2008 and covers local sporting events, focusing on area high schools. Reach the author at kmennig@oneidadispatch.com
or follow Kyle on Twitter: @DispatchKyle.